Vending machine



July 17, 1928. 1,677,519

w. GOODCHILD El AL VENDING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a &

%monuen July 17, 1928.

W. GOODCHILD ET AL VENDING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet ATTORNEY Patented July 17,1928

UNITED STATES WALTER GOODC HILD AND NATHAN SOLAR, OF HOB OKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOBS.

, 1,677,519 PATENTOOFJFICE. j

TO MAGIC DEVICE CORPORATION, 01' HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, 'A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

vnnnme Application ma Iarch 24, um." Serial no. mass.

The invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly to an electrically actuated vending'machme wherein the closing of an electric circuit will establish conditlons in the machine which will permit a purchaser to select and cause the delivery of one of a number of different articles stored in the machine. I

A vending machine embodying the invention is so constructed as to permit the stor-- age of a number of articles to be sold, each article being in a separate compartment from which it may be withdrawn and delivered to the purchaser, by a slide which may be operated by an electro-magnetic plunger, the circuit to which is closed as a result of the deposit of a coin or check in.

the machine, and opened by the article being delivered, thus preventing the actuation of any slide except upon the deposit of a coin or check in the machine, and limiting the potential actuation of the machine to the delivery of a single article. In a machine embodying the invention, it is possible to vend .a considerable variety of articles of different sizes and shapes, since the delivery mechanism is operative only as to a single article at a time, and the delivery of this article does not in any way disturb the articles in any other compartment than that ,in which the delivery slide is actuated by the magnetic actuating member.

In the event that an article is not delivered with the actuation of one of the slides, the construction is such that the circuit which energizes the magnetic plunger remains closed, thus permitting the purchaser to operate the machine a second time, or repeatedly until an article is actually delivered, the circuit to the magnetic plunger being. opened only upon the delivery of an article, and not through the automatic action of the mechanism by which the circuit to the plunger 'is closed, or any mechanism having a time interval within which the delivery of the article must be efiected.

Each slide is so positioned with relation to openings in the front of the casing as to permit a magnetic plunger, when passed through an opening, to be brought into the operative relation to'the slide. To prevent the unauthorized'operation of the machine arising from this condition, each slide is so constructed that its actuation in any manner except by the use of the electro-magnetic quickly removed from the machine and replaced a completely charged magazine.

It w1l readil v be understood that the mechanisms of t e machine should be com- .pletel inclosed, excepting the delivery shelf and t e openings by which the electro-magnetic plunger may be brought intothe operative relation to the various delivery slides.

In ,order to prevent tampering with the machine, unless a coin or check has been properly inserted in the slot, we preferably so form the electromagnetic plunger that it cannot be brought into operative relation to, any sl1de until its magnet has been energized as a result of the actuation of the circuit closing mechanism provided for the purpose of making the machine operative.

In the machine of the invention, the

mechanisms employed are so simple as not to be subject to sarrangement from any cause whatsoever excepting the exhaustion of the battery or other source of electrical supply. The mechanism may be, and preferabl is, so constructed as to contain all of the e ements'necessary to its operation, thus permitting its use upon counters or in other positions where electrical outlets from a lighting circuit are not available.

In addition to the possibility of offering for sale a variety of articles of merchandise, the mode of o eration of the machine is such as to arouse fieen interest in a prospective purchaser, not. only because a selection of issimila-r objects is permitted,.but because of the unusual, though slight, effort required on the part of the purchaser in operating the niachine to cause the desired article to be delivered.

' It will be noted that irrespective of the position of the article to be delivered, one and the same mechanism is used throughout the machine, although if desired different units containin merchandise having different values ma be associated in the same casing but in different magazines, in which case, however, each unit will have its own independent actuating mechanism, the setting of which, however, will vary according to the size of the coin or check required to represent the value or price of the article to he delivered.

The invention consists primarily in a vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a slide. containing electromagnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby movement of said slide outwardlyof the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an electro-magnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, means arranged in circuit with said plunger and said source of supply whereby said plunger may be energized upon the insertion of a check, a delivery shelf adapted to receive articles, and means operable as a result of the delivery of an article by the machine for making said last named means inoperative; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in theclaims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawing-s,

Fig. 1 is a front view of a vending machine embodying our invention, partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showin in detail the construction of the several s ides of a magazine; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical conditions in the machine.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the outer casing of the machine is indicated at 10, the'back of this casing being closed by a removable back plate 11, permitting access to the machine for the purpose of removing therefrom, or placing therein, a magazine, removing the coins or checks, and renewing the primary or secondary battery, which may, and preferably does, constitute the source of electrical supply for the operation of the machine. The front of the casing is formed of a sequence of vertically extending strips 12 each having a plurality of openings 13 therethrough, the space between these strips being closed by lights of glass 14. Rearwardly of the casing is a partition 15 supporting the magazine in which the merchandise to'be sold is stored. This magazine is spaced from the front of the machine as shown more particularly in Fig. 2 and the sides and to portion of the casing corresponding with the space between the magazine and the front of the machine, are closed by means of lights of glass 16 to secure a better illumination of the magazine structure.

The magazine consists of a plurality of compartments 17 formed by horizontal partitions 18 and vertical partitions 19, these compartments being arranged in vertical tiers, one tier being positioned rearwardly of each strip 12 and each compartment being substantially centered in relation to an opening 13 in said strip. Any desired number. of tiers of these compartments may be used in a machine, or in each unit of a machine, the delivery of the merchandise contained in each compartment being effected by one and the same mechanism controlled from a single source such as the coin or check slot 20. The partitions 18 and 19 are preferably made of non-magnetic material so as not to interfere with the free movement of any slide, which will be more fully described hereinafter.

Extending across and below the space between the magazine and the front wall of the casing is a chute 21 directed toward a delivery shelf 22 exposed exteriorly of the machine for the entire width of the magazine. Protecting the space above said shelf and certain mechanisms adjacent thereto, but co-operating with the chute 21, is a frame '23 which may either contain directions for the operation of the machine, or specimens of the merchandise contained in the various tiers of compartments 17. At the top of the machine is a frame 24 which may be used for the same purposes as the frame 23. The front of the casing 10 terminates well above the delivery end of the chute 21, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, thus avoiding likelihood of the jambing of the outlet to the machine by the merchandise being delivered.

The chute 21 in addition to receiving and directing the merchandise to upon the delivery shelf 22, also, with this shelf, serves to close and protect those portions of the mechanisms the functioning of which is essential to the operation of the machine.

Mounted in each compartment 17 is a slide containing a magnetic substance toward the front thereof so as to permit this slide to be moved by an electro-magnetic plunger outwardly of the compartment toward the front of the machine for the purpose of causing the merchandise stored in the compartment in which it is slidably mounted to be delivered in relation to the chute 21. Each of these slides is identical in construction with every other, and a description of but one of them will be entered into, reference being had more particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawings, although it is not desired to limit the invention to the detailed construction of the slide shown, since this may be varied without 'inany wise modifying the operative effect of the machine.

The slide shown in the accompanying drawings, which is in the nature of a drawer open at both consists of a rear member and a forward member adapted to telescope in relation to each other, the forward member being capable of movement with, or movement independently of, the rear member according to whether the actuation of the slide is by means of an electro-magnetic longer or by purely mechanical means as'w en trying to defraud the machine. The rear member of the slide consists of a looped portion 25 preferably of iron, steel, or other magnetic material, and having a ca-pacit to receive the largest sized article with w ich the magagine is to be charged. Carried rearwardly of this loop is an ejector block 26 which when the slide is drawn forwardly of the magazine will move the article to be delivered along the bottom of the compartment in which the slide is mounted, until it escapes through the open bottom of the slide and falls upon the chute 21. The ejector block 26 is so positioned, as to its forward face with relation to the sides of the looped portion 25, as to prevent the escape of the slide in its entirety from the compartment, permitting the article only to pass to the chute and leaving the slide 1n its outermost posi-' tion as shown in Fig. 2. The forward member of the slide consists of a looped portion 27 open at the back so as to permit the sides thereof to have a free slidin movement between the sides of the looped portion 25 and the partitions 18 forming the vertical walls of the compartment. ThlS portion 27 maybe made either of magnetic or non-magnetic material, although in the form of the invention shown it is made of non-magnetic material; The end of the looped portion 27 has an opening 28 therethrough closed by a screen or fabric 29 which will permit the electro-magnetic plunger to be brought into close relation with the front of the looped portion 25. V

The electro-magnetic plunger 30 has an electro non-conductive handle 31 and an electro magnet 32 projecting therefrom. The

core of this magnet is inclosed except as to the end thereof which is enlarged as shown at 33, by a jacket 34 of brass or other nonmagnetic material which will admit of the free movement of the plunger through the openings 13. Carried by the jacket 34 is a spring dog or dogs 35 which are within the magnetic field of the core 32 so that while said dog or dogs are normally thrust outthe top and the bottom thereof,

through an openin '13, when the magnet is energized they wil be retracted within recesses in the jacket 34 to an extent to pass through the opening. The support for said dogs is near the end 33 of the core of the magnet 32 and between same and the handle 31, said dog or dogs being so set as to have their normally projected ends towards the end 33. H v

The winding of the magnet 32 is arranged in a normally open circult with a source of electrical supply, as the prima batter 36, means beingnprovided in said circuit w ereby it may arbitrarily closed to energize said magnet or the edplunge r. This means comprises two spac contacts 3738, one of which, as 37, is fixed and the other, 38, is movable but held at a set distance from the fixed contact by a stop pin 39 with which it is normally engaged y a spring 40. Flexible conductor wires 41 are connected with a lead 42 from the contact 37 and with one terminal of the battery 36 by a lead 43. The

contacts 3738 are spaced apart sufliciently to receive and retain a coin or check delivered to the space between said contacts and in electrical contact with both.

Since when the lunger is once energized, it is operative to d i'awa slide from its compartment, and hence "cause the delivery of anarticle by the machine, it is essential to provide automatically acting means for making the mechanism for energizing the plun r inoperative upon the delivery of the artic e so as to restrict the operation of said plunger to the delive of a single article each time it is energize? To prevent the deenergizin of the plunger until an article is actually elivered, we rovide means oper ated by the article itse f, so that if a compartment should be em t the purchaser, after withdrawing the siidie from that compartment, may withdraw the plunger through one opening 13, and insert it in another or other of such openings until a charged compartment is found.

This automatically. acting means, in the form of the invention shown, comprises two parallel bus bars 4445, one of which, 44, is connected by the conductor wire 46 with one terminal of the winding ofv an electro magnet 47 operative upon the movable contact 38 in opposition to the spring 40. The other bar is connected by a wire 48 with the lead 43 from the. battery.

Said bars 44-45 are located above the delivery end of the chute 21 and one of them, as 44, has mounted thereon and electrically connected therewith, a sequence of highly flexible, spring tentacles 49' of electro conductive material which depend therefrom acres the other bar, but normally out of electrical engagement therewith, to a point closely adjacent the chute 21. Hence, irreno i spective of the compartment from which an check to drop therebetween, thus interrupting the circuit to the plunger 30. The circuit to the plunger 30 is completed through the wire 50 from the battery to the movable contact 38, and that to the magnet 47 through the wire 51 leading from the terminal of the magnet winding to the battery.

The operation of the herein described yending machine is substantially as fol- Under normal conditions the circuit to the electromagnetic plunger 30 is open so that this plunger is inoperative to impart movement to the slide in any compartment 17, the circuit to the magnet 47 also being normally open. This condition is to conserve battery energy.

When a coin or check is inserted in the coin slot 20, it will descend until it engages, and spans the gap between, the contacts 37-38, and thus close the circuit to, and energize, the electro-magnetic plunger 30-33. While we prefer to close this circuit through the coin itself, it is apparent that a check or coin controlled mechanism may be used for completing this circuit in any desired manner so long as the circuit may be interrupted by movement of the contact 38.

The electro-magnetic plunger being thus energized, it may be passed through any opening 13 into engagement with the slide in the compartment opposite said opening 13, there being insufficient play of said plunger in said opening to permit the plunger to operatively engage more than one slide. The magnetic traction of the plunger is sufliciently great to cause it to draw the rear member of the slide from its compartment, as the plunger is withdrawn through the opening 13.

As the slide is thus drawn from its compartment it will bring with it the article stored in 'the compartment until the slide has had sufiicient movement to permit the article to fall through the open bottom of the slide and the space between the magazine and the front of the casing 10 upon the chute 21 .along which it will pass to the delivery shelf 22 where it is accessible to the purchaser. If lower slides had, prior to the actuation of an upper slide, been withdrawn from their compartments, the article may pass through such slides, since each slide is open at the top as well as at the bottom.

If dogs 35 be used, they will be drawn within the recesses of the jacket 34 when the plunger is energized, but will be projected beyond the outer face of said jacket at all ot er times, thus preventing the plunger being used to return slides which have once been withdrawn, to their compartments. The use of such dogs, while desirable, is not essential, and they are employed merely to discourage tampering with the machine.

An article in passing from the chute 21 upon the shelf 22 must engage one or more of the spring tentacles 49 and close the circuit across the bus bars 44-45 to the magnet 47 which being thus energized will attract the movable contact 38 and open the circuit to the plunger 30, or make the means closing this, circuit inoperative to energize said plunger, upon the delivery of the article. It is to be noted that the deenergizing of the plunger 30 is dependent upon the actual delivery of an article, so that in the event of a compartment being empty, the operator may freely withdraw the plunger through one opening 13, and by passing it through another or other of suc 1 openings withdraw a slide from another or other compartments until an article is delivered.

Immediately that an article passes the line or se uence of tentacles 49, the displaced tentac es will spring away from the bus bar 45, thus instantly reopening the circuit to the magnet 47 preparatory to the next actuation of the machine.

If the magnetic plunger 30 be energized, when the end 33 is brought into the operative relation to a slide, both members of the slide will move in unison to accomplish the delivery of an article. If, however, said plunger is not energized, no movement can be imparted to either member of the slide unless some adhesive substance be applied to the plunger, or a stick used in lieu thereof, so as to mechanically connect it to the looped portion 27 of the forward member of the slide, whereupon this forward member alone will be drawn from the compartment leaving the rear member and the article within thecompartment. If the forward member be thus withdrawn, it will not interfere wit-h an article falling from an upper compartment, since such an article may fall through the loop to upon the chute 21.-

It will be observed that in a machine embodying the invention, the plunger 30 is normally inoperative to effect the delivery of an article from any compartment in the machine, and that when said plunger is energized so that it may impart movement to any slide which may be selected by the operator, it will remain operative only until an article has bee-n delivered, the delivery of the article immediately restoring the plunger to its inoperative condition. The length of the flexible wire 41 is such as to permit the plunger to be used with any opening 13 in the unit operated by means of this plunger, so that if different units areclosely associated for llll ing a 100 27 may be of magneticmaterial if desire in which case the screen 29 need not be used.

It will be observed that in a machine embodying the-invention, the construction and mechanisms employed are of the simplest form, and yet present in the machine adequate safeguards to ensure a purchaser receiving merchandise while preventing the fraudulent actuation of the machine.

While various structural variations may be made as to the details of the various slides and of the magnetic plunger, it is ap arent that such changes would not modi the mode of operation of the machine which reuires a mechanism b which the circuit to t e plunger may be ar itrarily closed to permit the selective withdrawal of a slide from some compartment of the machine in the manner above described, and the automatic opening of the circuit to this plunger resulting from the delivery of the artlcle so as to prevent the withdrawal of more than a single slide with one actuation of the means causing the plunger to be energized, unless this operation is not accompanied by the delivery of an article.

It is not our intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is:

1. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a slide containing electro-magnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby movement of said slide outwardly of the com artment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an electro-ma netic plunger adapted to be passed throng any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of e ectrical supply, means arranged in circuit with said plunger and said source" of supply! whereby said plunger may be energized upon the inser tion of a check, a delivery shelf adapted to receive articles, and means operable as a result of the delivery of an article by the machine for making said last named means inoperative.

2. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a slide containing electro-magnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an electro-magnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, normally open electrical contacts, one of which is movable in relation to the other, arranged in circuit with the plunger and said source of supply, said contacts being spaced apart so as to require the insertion of an electroconductive article in electrical contact with both said contacts to close the circuit to energize said plun er, a delivery shelf adapted to receive art-ic es, means whereby said movable contact may have movement im arted thereto to cause the interruption of t e circuit to said contact, and means arranged in the ath of movement of an article to said sheli: whereby said last named means will be actuated as a result of the delivery of an articile to cause said plunger to be de-energlze 3. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a slide containing electromagnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein whereby movement of said slide outwardl compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casin having openings therethrough, an e ectro-ma etic plunger adapted to be passed throng any of said openings into 0 erative relation'to a slide, a source of electrleal supply, normally open electrical contacts, one of which is movable in relation to the other, arranged in circuit with the plun er and said source of supply, said contacts eing s aced apart so as to require the insertion 0 an electroconductive article in electrical contact with both said contacts to close the circuit to energize said plunger, a stop positionin said movable contact in relation to said fixe contact, a spring tending to normally enga said movable contact with said stop, a elivery shelf adapted to receive articles, means acting in opposition to said ring whereby said movable contact may ave movement imparted thereto to cause the interruption of the circuit to said contact, and means arranged in the path of movement of an article to said shelf, whereby said last named means will be actuated as a result of the delivery of an article to cause said plunger to be de-energized.

4. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a .slide containing electro-magnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby'movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing-having openings therethrough, an electro-magy of the.

I ceive articles, bus bars, an electro-magnet netic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into'operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, means arranged in. circuit with said plunger and said source of supply whereby said plunger may be energized u on-the insertion of a check, a delivery shel adapted to reoperative upon the means for energizing said plunger, and'arranged 1n circuit with said source of supply and said busbars, and

a sequence of. spring tentacles of electro-con: ductive material, mechanically and electrically connected with one of said bus bars and adapted to be engaged with the other bus bar, said tentacles projecting in the. path of movement of an article to said delivery shelf, whereby the movement of any of said tentacles by an article passing to said shelf will energize said magnet and cause said plunger to be de-energized.

5. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of-merchandise receiving compartments, a slide containing electro-magnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise thereln, whereby movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an 'electro-mag netic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, normallyopen electrical contacts, one of whichis movable in relation to the other, arranged in circuit with the plunger and said source of supply, said contacts being spaced apart so as to require the insertion of an electroconductive article in electrical contact with both said contacts to close the circuit to energize said plunger, a delivery shelf adapted to receive articles, bus bars, an electro magnet operativc upon said movable contact and arranged in circuit with said source of sup-- ply and said bus bars, and a sequence of spring tentacles of electro-conductive material, mechanically and electrically connected with one of said bus bars and adapted to be engaged with the other bus bar, said tentacles projecting in the path of movement of an article to said delivery shelf, whereby the movement of any of said tentacles by an article passing to said shelf will energize said magnet and cause said plunger to be deenergized.

6. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a slide containing electro-magnetic material in each /compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchanany ofsaid openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, nor- ,mally'open' electrical contacts, one of which movable contact in relation to said fixed contact, a spring tending to normally engage said movable contact with said stop, a delivery shelf adapted to receive articles, bus

bars, an electromagnet operative upon said movable contact, and arranged in circuit with said source of supply and said bus bars.

and a sequence of spring tentacles of elec tro-conductive material, mechanically and electrically connected with one of said bus bars and adapted to be engaged with the other bus bar, said tentacles projecting in the path of movement of an article to said delivery shelf, whereby the movement of any of said tentacles by an article passing to said shelf will energize said magnet and cause said plunger to be de-energized.

A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, each compartment having therein a slide comprising telescopic forward and rear members, each open at the top and at the bottom thereof, said rear member containing at the forward edge thereof electro-magnetic material, and toward the rear thereof a block for engagement with an article in the compartment, and said forward member being movable independently of, or by, the rear member, whereby mechanical actuation of the slide to cause the delivery of an article is prevented, said casing having openings therethrough, an electro-magnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of elec trical supply, means arranged in circuit with said plunger and said source of supply whereby said plunger may be energized upon the insertion of a check, adelivery shelf adapted to receive articles, and means operable as a result of the delivery of an article by the machine for making said last named means inoperative.

8. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, each compartment having therein a slide comprising telescopic forward and rear members, each open at the top and at the bottom thereof, said rear member containing at the forward edge thereof electro-magnetic material, and toward the rear thereof a block for engagement with an article in the compartment, and said forward member being movable independently of, or by, the rear member, whereby mechanical actuation of theslide to cause the delivery of an article is prevented, both members of said slide being of a length to prevent their complete withdrawal from a compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an elect-ro-magneticv plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, means arranged in circuit with said lunger and said source of supply wherehy said plunger may be energized upon the insertion of a check, a delivery shelf adapted to receive articles, and means operable as a result of the delivery of an ar ticle by the machine for making said last named means inoperative.

9. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a magazine containing a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments spaced rearwardly from the front of said casing, each compartment having therein-a slide comprising telescopic forward and rear members, each open at the top and at the bottom thereof, said rear member containing at the forward edge thereof electro-magnetic material, and toward the rear thereof a block for engagement with an article in the compartment, and said forward member being movable inde ndently of, or by, the rear member, where y mechanical actuation of the slide to cause the delivery of an article is prevented, both members of said slide being of a length to prevent their complete withdrawal from a compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an electro-magnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, means arranged in circuit with said plunger and said source of supply whereby said plunger may be energized upon the insertion of a check, a delivery shelf adapted to receive articles, a chute extendin at an incline from adjacent the bottom 0 said magazine across the space between said magazine and the front of the machine and toward said delivery shelf, and means operable as a result of the delivery of an article by the machine for making said last named means inoperative.

10. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a magazine containing a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments spaced rearwardly from the front of said casing, a slide containing electro-magnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an electro-magnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, a source of electrical supply, normally open electrical contacts, one of which is movable in relation to the other, arranged in circuit with the plunger and said source of supply and said bus bars, and'a sequence of spring tentacles of electro-conductive material. mechanically and electrically connected with one of said bus bars and adapted to be engaged with the other has bar, said tentacles projecting in the path of movement of an article to said delivery shelf, whereby the movement of any of said tentacles by an article passing to said shelf will energize said magnet and cause said plunger to be deenergized.

11. A vending machine embodying therein a casing, a plurality of merchandise receiving compartments, a slide containing electro-magnetic material in each compartment and engaging the merchandise therein, whereby movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings therethrough, an electromagnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, electro-magnetically operated means carried bv said plunger, whereby its passage through an opening is prevented except when the plunger is energized, a source of electrical sup ly, means arranged in circuit with said p unger and said source of supply whereby said plunger engaging the merchandise therein. whereby I movement of said slide outwardly of the compartment will eject the merchandise from the compartment, said casing having openings ther'ethrough, an electro-magnetic plunger adapted to be passed through any of said openings into operative relation to a slide, said plunger comprising an electronon-conductive handle, an electro-magnet projecting therefrom, a non-magnetic metallic jacket inclosing said magnet, the core of said magnet projecting beyond said jacket, and spring contacts carried in recess'es in said jacket and within the ma netic result of the delivery of an article by the 10' field of said core, whereby insertion 0? said machine for making said last named means plunger in an opening is prevented except inoperative.

when it is energized, a source of electrical In witness whereof we have hereunto af- 5 supply, means arranged in circuit with said fixed our signatures, this 31st day of Decem plunger and said source of supply whereby her, 1924.

said plunger may be energized upon the msertion of a check, a delivery shelf adapted WALTER GOODCHILD.

to receive articles, and means operable as a NATHAN SCLARL 

